
8.
How did this inspired song note the loyalty of the faithful
ones? Verses 14, 15 (first part), 18.
Unfaithfulness
Condemned; Loyalty Extolled
9.
What record of unfaithfulness appears in this song of deliver-
ance? Verses 15 (last part), 16, 17.
10.
Contrast the lukewarmness of Meroz with the warm zeal of
Jael. Verses 23-27.
NorE.—"When Sisera saw that his army was defeated, he left his chariot,
and endeavored to make his escape on foot, as a common soldier. Approach-
ing the tent of Heber, one of the descendants of Jethro, the fugitive was
invited to find shelter there. In the absence of Heber, Jael, his wife, courteously
offered Sisera a refreshing draft, and opportunity for repose, and the weary
general soon fell asleep.
"Jael was at first ignorant of the character of her guest, and she resolved
to conceal him; but when she afterward learned that he was Sisera, the enemy
of God and of His people, her purpose changed. As he lay before her asleep,
she overcame her natural reluctance to such an act, and slew him by driving a
nail through his temples, pinning him to the earth. As Barak, in pursuit of
his enemy, passed that way, he was called in by Jael to behold the vainglorious
captain dead at his feet,—slain by the hand of a woman."—Ellen G. White, in
Signs of the Times,
June 16, 1881.
11.
How does this song of triumph dramatize the defeat of Sis-
era? Verses 19-22.
NorE.—"Sisera had chosen his position with consummate skill. Marching
in almost straight line upon the plain of Megiddo, his army was now posted
at its entrance, resting upon the ancient Canaanitish town of Taanach (Judges
5:19, compare Joshua 12:21). Behind, and at his left flank, were the moun-
tains of Manasseh, before him opened the basin of the valley, merging into
the plain of Esdraelop, watered by the Kishon. Into this plain must Barak's
army descend 'on foot,' badly armed, without experienced officers, without
cavalry or chariots — and here his own nine hundred war chariots would
operate to best advantage. It was not even like one of those battles in which
mountaineers hold their own fastnesses, or swoop down on their enemies in
narrow defiles. On the contrary, all seemed to tell against Israel—all but this,
that God had previously promised to draw Sisera and his army to the river
Kishon, and to deliver them into Barak's hand. Then once more did the Lord
appear as 'a man of war,' and fight on the side of His people. It is said: 'And
Jehovah discomfited,' or rather, 'threw into confusion, Sisera and all his char-
iots, and all his host.' The expression is the same as when Jehovah fought
against Egypt (Ex. 14:25), and again when before Gibeon Joshua bade sun
and moon stand still (Joshua 10:10). It indicates the direct interference of
the Lord through terrible natural phenomena (compare also its use in 2 Sam.
22:15; Ps. 18:14; 144:6). As we gather from Judges 5:20-22, a fearful storm
swept down from heaven in face of the advancing army. The battle must have
drawn towards En-dor, where its fate was finally decided (Ps. 83:9, 10),
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